State Department Issues ‘Worldwide Caution’ Warning to US Citizens

The same day that President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the State Department issued a new “Wordwide Caution” to U.S. citizens traveling abroad.

The new caution, dated Wednesday, does not specifically reference Trump’s decision or even the city of Jerusalem itself. However, the State Department noted that the caution does act as a replacement for a “Worldwide Caution” dated Sept. 17.

“As terrorist attacks, political upheaval, and violence often take place without any warning, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness when traveling,” the caution read.

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“U.S. government facilities worldwide remain in a heightened state of alert,” it added, before encouraging U.S. citizens traveling abroad to “monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.”

The State Department’s message specifically cited Islamic terror organizations like the Islamic State group and al-Quaida, who are “intent on attacking U.S. citizens wherever they are.”

“Terrorist groups are very active in the Middle East and North Africa,” the department said. “The U.S. government remains highly concerned about possible attacks against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived U.S. and Western interests in the region.”

The new caution comes amid growing tension in the Middle East over Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, as many Arab leaders have decried the president’s announcement.

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Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Hamas terrorist organization, called for Palestine to rise up against Israel, according to The Associated Press.

“The American decision is an aggression on our people and a war on our sanctuaries,” he said. “We want the uprising to last and continue to let Trump and the occupation regret this decision.”

Hamas official Ismail Radawn echoed Haniyeh’s remarks, saying, “This decision will open the gates of hell on U.S. interests in the region.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called Trump’s move “deplorable and unacceptable,” and claimed it was a deliberate act to undermine peace efforts in the Middle East.

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The Palestinian president insisted that Jerusalem is the “eternal capital of the state of Palestine.”

Violence has erupted in the West Bank and in Gaza as the Israeli Defense Forces try to deal with Palestinian protesters who have started fires and thrown stones at anti-riot soldiers.

In Lebanon, meanwhile, the front-page headline of a pro-Hezbollah newspaper read “Death to America,” Reuters reported.

On Tuesday, in anticipation of Trump’s expected announcement, the State Department warned U.S. government staff to stay away from Jerusalem’s Old City and the West Bank due to “widespread calls for demonstrations,” according to The Hill.

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“Official travel by U.S. government employees in Jerusalem’s Old City and in the West Bank is permitted only to conduct essential travel and with additional security measures,” the department said.